National Gypsum hopes to expand ‘the largest quarry on the world’

Canada: National Gypsum Canada Ltd is looking to make what it calls 'the largest gypsum quarry in the world' even bigger. The quarry in Milford, Nova Scotia currently covers about 3.01km2. The plan is to expand operations by 1.44km2, 1.35km2 of which would be used for mining activities.

"We want to ensure that we have an adequate gypsum supply and the market is better than it has been," said Nancy Spurlock, company spokeswoman. An increase in US housing starts of about 1m units in 2014, up 8% from 2013, continues to drive demand for wallboard products.

National Gypsum has registered its proposed mine extension project for environmental assessment with the province as required under the Environment Act. "The anticipated average production rate for the expanded mine facility will be at the 20-year average of 3.1Mt/yr, depending on market demand," said an environmental report prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd for National Gypsum.

The Milford-area mine has produced more than 134Mt of gypsum since it opened in 1954. National Gypsum employs 60 people at the mine and more workers will be needed if mining operations and the volume of product pulled from the ground increases, according to Spurlock. The quarry, one of eight the company owns and its only one outside the US, would grow over the next 35 - 40 years, depending on market demand. "It's a long-term forecast, and we need to nail down the source of our gypsum, that's why we're doing it," said Spurlock.

The proposed extension area includes forest, wetland, clear-cuts and some agricultural land. Six wetland areas would be protected by an ecological buffer zone. If the project is given the go-ahead, National Gypsum would open up areas as needed. The minister has until 9 April 2015 to grant a conditional approval of the environmental assessment.